AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel Small plane preference?

Is there any reason to choose one over the other between Maya Island Air and Tropic Air?

Reason for question: I have a paid reservation on one, made months ago when my plans were different. I now have a different traveling companion (sister instead of husband) which meant a change of lodging (2 bedrooms required), which has resulted in a confusing situation on air reservations.

Any thoughts? Schedules are similar. Are safety considerations and/or on-time records the same or different? Any reason to choose one over the other?

Thanks.

No particular reason to change.

On time records? they both be on island time.

Actually, though - they are both fine. No worries.

Tropic. they also seem to run more flights. they are scheduled every 40 min to the hour from BZE-SPR yet the last two times I arrived, went through customs and they had a 1:40, 2:10 and 2:40.

I have always taken Tropic. It seems like if Tropic can fill a plane early, then they leave early from BZE to San Pedro. I try to work my Tropic reservation to give me enough time to stop off at Jet's. The only problem is Tropic always leaves early and cuts into my rum punch drinking time.

My entire family flies tropic air, and has been since it was founded. Never had any problems with them, (i hope to someday work for them). Im not saying that Maya isn't as good as tropic but from the experiences i have had with tropic i wouldn't change my airline.

I've used Maya every single time... Always a pleasure and never a problem. They always leave on time and never early.

I also make time to sit and enjoy a Beliken at Jet's. That is part of the experience.

Maya has been doing 50% off for cash paid tickets. We stumbled into that accidently and used them for all our flights while we were in Belize.

They were for a while, not sure if they still are. Friends of mine were buying up open tickets to use for later dates.

Ahh..so the Maya Islands seat sale is over then. Too bad, but as I'm back in Canada, I'm not that broken up about it. It was great while we were down there though.

Just like so many things here (resorts - dive operators - fishing guides - etc.) we all have our preferences and for different reasons. I started with Tropic and have not had a problem so I stick with them.

Here's my hint though: If there are two or more people coming in to international I have them take a taxi to the muni airport. It costs half as much to fly from muni as it does from international. The taxi ride used to be BZ$40 but the guests that just came it said it had been raised (because of the cost of gas) to BZ$45. Still a good buy.

I like them to see a bit of the main land and everyone has always raved about the education they get from the cab driver. Most of my friends come in on American and arrive at 3:42. I book them for the 4:30 flight out of muni. If they miss that, and none have so far, they will be put on the 5:30 flight.

It is not uncommon for them to get on the flight which, when not full, goes to international and picks up the overflow. That is always good for a laugh! The other good thing about this is that their luggage is always on the same plane that they are on. Not so coming from international. I came in on the 4:30 flight but my luggage didn't get here until the 530 one. It's a good thing I have become a Belizean and know how to wait.